Lakeside Lofts Will Become Dorm For Columbia Students

January 27, 1993|By J. Linn Allen.

Industrious Columbia College students of the future may not be poring over racing forms, but they may be living where the Daily Racing Form was once printed.

Columbia College Tuesday announced it has signed a contract to buy the Lakeside Lofts, a 96-unit loft conversion at 731 S. Plymouth Ct. that once housed an R.R. Donnelley printing plant that published, among other things, the racing form.

The college, which has been primarily a commuter school throughout its 103-year existence, is planning to redevelop the building as its first residence hall in time for the fall semester.

The Columbia acquisition continues a trend of downtown expansion by schools and universities that has emerged over the past several years.

The price for the 1890s-era building, which was converted to apartments in 1985 during a hot period of loft conversions in the Printer's Row area of the South Loop, was not disclosed. Closing is anticipated sometime this spring.

The building is owned by a partnership that included as general partner Mesirow Real Estate Investments, which has been involved in the ownership of the building since the early 1980s.

Columbia spokeswoman Carol Bryant said the building could hold up to 346 students and is a few blocks from Columbia College classroom buildings in the 600 blocks of South Michigan and Wabash Avenues.